Combination pocketbook and cigarette receptacle



E. SCHEER July 6, 1937.

COMBINATION POCKETBOOK AND CIGARETTE RECEPTACLE Filed Aug. 13. 1936 I INVENTOR.

BY Q ATTORNEY? Patented July 6, 19357 COMBWATION POCKETBOOK AND CIGA- BETTE RECEPTACLE 6 Claims.

The present invention relates to a combination pocket book and cigarette receptacle.

Heretofore, it was customary with feminine smokers to carry the cigarettes loosely, or in a paper package within the pocketbook or handbag. This had the disadvantage that when it was desired to remove a cigarette from the bag or pocketbook, frequently particles of loose tobacco dropped out of the cigarette or from the 10 package of cigarettes. These particles of tobacco accumulated within the pocketbook, mixed. with the various articles contained therein, such as handkerchiefs, rouge, face powder, and the like, and not only caused serious inconvenience and annoyance to the feminine user but also necessitated frequent cleaning of the inner lining of the pocketbook or handbag without being able to completely remove traces of tobacco flakes or dust. In addition to this, in view of the large number of various small articles usually carried in a ladys pocketbook, it was difficult to find and to withdraw a cigarette from the package. The size of conventional cigarette packages was too large to be conveniently carried in a pocketbook of normal size, so that the feminine user was faced with the problem of either carrying a stand ard package and thereby deforming the pocketbook and causing the sides thereof to bulge out, or to carry just a few loose cigarettes correspondno ing to her actual needs for a day or so. Of course, if the cigarettes have been carried loosely in the pocketbook, the above difiiculties caused by tobacco dust and particles have been considerably increased, and frequently whole cigarettes broke and disintegrated within the pocketbook causing serious disadvantage and inconvenience. It is also to be observed that the strong odor of tobacco when carried within the pocketbook permeated all or at least some of the other articles 40 carried therein, such as for example handkerchiefs, gloves, and destroyed the pleasanteffect of perfume carried in the handbag or pocketbook. Moreover, many things would be lost when withdrawing cigarettes. From the foregoing, it clear- 45 ly appears that a problem existed in the art for some time and although various suggestions and proposals have been already made to solve the outstanding problem, none, as far as I am aware, of these various suggestions and proposals has 50 been completely satisfactory and successful when carried into practice on a practical and commercial scale.

I have discovered that the present problem may be solved in a remarkably simple manner.

55 It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved combination ladies pocketbook or handbag and cigarette case which eliminates the above inconvenience and disadvantages of conventional articles.

It is another object of the present invention to ,5 provide a novel and improved combination pocketbook or handbag and cigarette receptacle permanently attached thereto which is adapted to receive and to hold a plurality of cigarettes but holding them separately and securely from the 10 other articles carried within the pocketbook.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a combination ladies pocketbook and cigarette receptacle involving a receptacle constituted of metal or other material and rigidly con- 15 nected to the outer frame of a ladys pocketbook or handbag, said receptacle being of such character that it is capable of holding a plurality of cigarettes and to discharge one or several of them at a time at a moments notice.

The invention also contemplates a novel combination ladies pocketbook and cigarette receptacle which is simple in construction, which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture, and which is neat and highly attractive in appearance.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which;

Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a ladys pocketbook embodying the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 2 depicts a side elevational view having parts broken away and in section for reasons of clarity of the cigarette receptacle shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Broadly stated, according to the principles of my invention, I provide a receptacle of elongated 40 form and made of metal or some other material having strength. I prefer to provide this receptacle in elongated cylindrical, tubular form'and attach the same rigidly to the exterior of the pocketbook or handbag. I found that this is accomplished best by fastening the receptacle to the metallic frame usually provided in pocketbocks, by means of soldering, riveting and sim- I ilar fastening means. This elongated metallic receptacle is of such dimensions that it is capable of receiving and holding a plurality of cigarettes as, for example, 8 or 10, or even the contents of a standard package, if desired. I also provide a port or ports in the receptacle for introducing and. for removing the cigarettes and closure. means for said ports to maintain the same in a closed position in the normal condition of the device. The port for introducing and for discharging the cigarettes may be identical, although I found it more advantageous to provide an opening or port at one of the ends of said receptacle for inserting the cigarettes and another opening preferably in the center portion of the receptacle for the easy and quick removal of the cigarettes. The closure means for the discharge opening may be made, for example, in the form of a cylindrical or semi-cylindrical sleeve or shell arranged slidably and rotatably within the cylindrical receptacle and which may be turned into registering position with the opening in the receptacle so that the cigarettes may be removed, while by turning the inner closure member out of alignment with the opening in the receptacle, the receptacle is closed, and the cigarettes therein are protected from falling out.

Referring now to the drawing, a pocketbook A is provided with two compartments and a metal frame B having a hinge C in a conventional location. The pocketbook is provided with usual locking means D and E mounted on the upper central portion of the frame and adapted to co-operate with each other to maintain the pocketbook closed in the normal position. On the uppermost edge of metal frame B is mounted a cylindrical receptacle F by means of soldering, spot welding, riveting and similar fastening operations or means. The receptacle has the form of a tubular member of circular cross section and is of such dimensions that it is capable of holding the desired number of cigarettes without crowding or pressure. The central portion of receptacle F is cut out to form an opening or port G for the removal of cigarettes, sufiiciently large to make the cigarette within the receptacle easily accessible.

Within the receptacle I provide a closure member in the form, of a rotatably-fitting semicylindrical shell I-I having a cap I connected thereto with edges slightly protruding beyond the outer circumference of the receptacle F, so that the semi-cylindrical closure shell may be rotated within the cylindrical receptacle by rotating the accessible edge of cap I. In the illustrated position of the shell, port G is open for the removal of cigarettes and may be closed by rotating cap I and shell G by 180 degrees as those skilled in the art will readily understand. The rotational displacement of the inner shell H is limited by means of a small pin J rigidly connected to cap I and displaceable within a narrow and circumferential slot 0 in the extremity of receptacle F whereby its movement is restrained to the desired 180 degrees displacement between the open and closed position of the receptacle.

At the other end of the receptacle another cap or cover K is provided for the insertion of cigarettes or filling of the receptacle. Cap or cover K may be threaded into the end of the receptacle F although it is preferred to use a hinge M and a fastening element N for opening and closing the filling cap or cover which elimi- Hates the possibility of the cover being lost when the cover or cap is threaded and is completely removable.

' From the preceding description, the operation of my novel combination pocketbook and cigarette receptacle will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. First the receptacle is filled with cigarettes by opening the filling cover or cap whereby the filling end of the receptacle is accessible and open for the insertion of cigarettes. When it is desired to remove one or more of the cigarettes, cap I at the other end of the receptacle and associated with the closure member or shell H is rotated by about 180 degrees. This rotational displacement of the closure member will bring the discharge opening or port G of the receptacle into alignment with the cut away part of the closure member or shell H whereby the discharge port is open for the removal of the cigarettes. After the cigarette or cigarettes have been removed, the receptacle may be again closed simply by returning the closure member into its normal position of rest by rotating cap I in the opposite direction.

It is to be noted that the combination pocketbook and cigarette receptacle embodying the principles of the present invention provides a number of important advantages. First of all, a new article of manufacture and of commerce is provided which eliminates a long felt inconvenience from the art and permits to carry cigarettes with a pocketbook without the danger of tobacco particles or dust soiling the inside of the pocketbook or causing inconvenience and annoyance.

It is also to be observed that the cigarettes are easily and instantaneously available simply by rotating the closure member without the necessity of even opening the pocketbook, so that the various articles therein remain undisturbed.

Moreover, in View of the fact that the cigarettes are carried completely apart from the other articles in the pocketbook, the tobacco of the cigarettes cannot impart unpleasant odors to articles within the pocketbook, such as handkerchiefs, gloves and the like.

Furthermore, as clearly appears from the preceding description, the combination pocketbook and cigarette receptacle is very simple in construction so that it may be manufactured and sold at a very low price and due to its attractive appearance and inexpensive character may find a ready market.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment thereof, variations and modifications may be resorted to by those skilled in the art without departing from the principles of the present invention. Thus, for example, in addition to cigarettes, matches may be carried in the receptacle either segregated from the cigarettes or within the same space therewith. A suitable friction surface for lighting the matches may be provided on the receptacle for example on the outer surface of one of the caps or covers I or K. It is also possible to provide a small humidor cap or the like humidifying element within or associated with the case with obvious results. I consider all of these variations and modifications as within the true spirit and scope of the present invention as disclosed in the present description and defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A combination ladies pocketbook and cigarette receptacle comprising a pocketbook having a rigid frame, a tubular receptacle constituted of metal permanently connected to one of the upper edges of said frame and forming a handle for said pocketbook, a cap for closing one of the ends of said receptacle adapted to be removed for the insertion of cigarettes, a' discharge opening in an intermediate portion of said receptacle for removing cigarettes therefrom, closure means for said discharge opening, and means associated with the other end of said receptacle capable of being actuated by the hand holding said pocketbook to actuate said closure means.

2. A combination ladies pocketbook and cigarette receptacle comprising a pocketbook having a metal frame, a tubular metal receptacle of substantially circular cross section mounted on one edge of said frame and forming a handle for said pocketbook, a cap for closing one of the ends of said receptacle adapted to be displaced for the insertion of cigarettes, a discharge opening of elongated shape in an intermediate portion of said receptacle, a closure member rotatably mounted Within said receptacle and adapted to open and to close said discharge opening, and a cap at the other end of said receptacle and connected to said closure member capable of being actuated by the hand holding said pocketbook to rotate said member.

3. A combination ladies pocketbook and cigarette receptacle comprising a pocketbook having a metal frame, a cylindrical receptacle constituted of metal rigidly connected to said frame and forming a handle for said pocketbook, a port at one end of said receptacle for inserting cigarettes thereinto, a removable cap for closing said port, an opening of elongated shape in the central portion of said receptacle for the removal of cigarettes, a substantially semi-cylindrical shell within said receptacle slidably fitting the inner surface thereof and capable of rotational displacement to open and to close said opening, and a cap connected to said shell inserted in the other end of said receptacle capable of being actuated by the hand holding said pocketbook to rotationally displace said shell.

4. A combination ladies pocketbook and cigarette receptacle comprising a pocketbook having a metal frame, a cylindrical receptacle constituted of metal rigidly connected to said frame and forming a handle for said pocketbook, a port at one of the ends of said receptacle for inserting cigarettes thereinto, a hinged cap for closing said port, an opening of substantially oblong shape for the removal of cigarettes in the central portion of said receptacle, a shelllike closure member located within said receptacle and conforming to the inner surface thereof, said closure member being capable of rotational displacement to cover and to uncover said opening, and a. cap connected to said shell inserted in the other end of said receptacle capable of being actuated by the hand holding said pocketbook to rotationally displace said shell.

5. A combination ladies pocketbook and cigarette receptacle comprising a pocketbook having a frame, an elongated cylindrical receptacle connected to said frame and forming a handle for said pocketbook, a port at one end of said receptacle for inserting cigarettes thereinto, a cap for closing said port, an opening of elongated shape in an intermediate region of said receptacle permitting ready removal of cigarettes, a substantially semi-cylindrical shell within said receptacle slidably fitting the inner surface thereof and capable of rotational displacement to open and to close said opening, a cap connected to said shell inserted in the other end of said receptacle capable of being actuated by the hand holding said pocketbook to rotationally displace said shell, and means for limiting said rotational displacement.

6. A combination ladies pocketbook and cigarette receptacle comprising a pocketbook having a frame, an elongated cylindrical receptacle connected to said frame and forming a handle for said pocketbook, a port at one end of said receptacle for inserting cigarettes thereinto, a cap for closing said port, an opening of elongated shape in an intermediate region of said receptacle permitting ready removal of cigarettes, a substantially semi-cylindrical shell within said receptacle slidably fitting the inner surface thereof and capable of rotational displacement to open and to close said opening, a cap connected to said shell inserted in the other end of said receptacle and having a terminal surface slightly protruding beyond the outer circumference of the receptacle capable of being rotationally displaced by the hand holding said pocketbook to open and to close said opening, a circumferential slot in the extremity of said receptacle, and a pin in said cap engaging said slot and limiting rotation of said cap.

ETHEL SCHEER. 

